they gave him sour wine to drink mixed with gall. When he had tasted it, he would not drink.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 34. Wine … mingled with gall. [4] The Prot. from the ordinary Greek copies, translate vinegar; but other Greek copies have wine, which S. Jerom and S. Hilary follow. And in Saint Mark all copies, without exception, have wine mixed with myrrh: perhaps myrrh, from its bitterness, is here called gall. It is also observed that wine, with a mixture of myrrh, was often given to those that were to die a violent death, to comfort them, or stupefy them. Our Saviour tasted it, but would not drink it. He refused not to taste the bitterness, but would not take what might lessen his torments. Witham.—Saint Mark says, mingled with myrrh; perhaps it was mixed with both, to render it as bitter as possible. Saint Augustine.—What Saint Mark relates, he took it not, is thus explained: he took it not, so as to drink it; which S. Mat. confirms, by saying: and when he had tasted, he would not drink; (Idem,) so as to receive the support and comfort which a strengthening draft might afford.
or, vinegar
Gall is a bitter-tasting, dark green oil from a wormwood plant that is alcoholic in its effect.